Some people say man is made out of mud
A pour man's made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong 

YOU LOAD SIXTEEN TONS, WHAT DO YOU GET ?
ANOTHER DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT.
SAY BROTHER, DON'T YOU CALL ME 'CAUSE I CAN'T GO
I OWE MY SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE.

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded Sixteen Tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well a bless my soul."

YOU LOAD SIXTEEN TONS, WHAT DO YOU GET ?
ANOTHER DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT.
SAY BROTHER, DON'T YOU CALL ME 'CAUSE I CAN'T GO
I OWE MY SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE.

If you see me comin' better step aside 
A lotta men didn't a lotta men died
One fist of iron the other of steel,
If the right one don't get you, then the left one will.

YOU LOAD SIXTEEN TONS, WHAT DO YOU GET ?
ANOTHER DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT
SAY BROTHER DON'T YOU CALL ME 'CAUSE I CAN'T GO
I OWE MY SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE

(Merle Travis) © American Music Company Inc./World Music Company